Letter to Noah C. Saxton, 4 January 1833

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

Located at falls of Genesee River, seven miles south of Lake Ontario, on Erie Canal. Founded 1812. Incorporated as village, 1817. Originally called Rochesterville; name changed to Rochester, 1822. Incorporated as city, 1834. County seat. Population in 1820...

Located at falls of Genesee River, seven miles south of Lake Ontario, on Erie Canal. Founded 1812. Incorporated as village, 1817. Originally called Rochesterville; name changed to Rochester, 1822. Incorporated as city, 1834. County seat. Population in 1820...

“Mormonism,” American Revivalist, and Rochester (NY) Observer, 2 Feb. 1833, [2]. Saxton was previously the editor of the New York Evangelist, which was consolidated with the Rochester Observer in 1832. The Rochester Observer began in 1827 as a Presbyterian newspaper; by the end of 1832, it had three thousand subscribers. It was known as the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer from 29 September 1832 to 13 July 1833. (See French, Gazetteer of the State of New York, 396; Norton, “Comparative Images,” 359, 361.)

French, J. H. Gazetteer of the State of New York: Embracing a Comprehensive View of the Geography, Geology, and General History of the State. . . . 8th ed. Syracuse, NY: R. Pearsall Smith, 1860.

Norton, Walter A. “Comparative Images: Mormonism and Contemporary Religions as Seen by Village Newspapermen in Western New York and Northeastern Ohio, 1820–1833.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1972.

The American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer was a weekly evangelical newspaper published in upstate

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

. According to Saxton, the newspaper was devoted to “the free discussion and critical investigation of the doctrines and duties of Christianity.” Saxton encouraged “his brethren in the ministry and other correspondents to contribute liberally to the columns of the Revivalist,” advice that JS apparently took seriously.

Norton, Walter A. “Comparative Images: Mormonism and Contemporary Religions as Seen by Village Newspapermen in Western New York and Northeastern Ohio, 1820–1833.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1972.

Speaking of the time period in which JS wrote this letter, a later JS history states that “appearances of troubles among the nations, became more visible, this season, than they had previously done, since the church began her journey out of the wilderness.” A cholera epidemic, an outbreak of the plague in India, and political tumult between South Carolina and the federal government were especially troubling.

through a millenarian lens. In the four months before he wrote to Saxton, JS’s revelations and other documents had warned of disasters preceding the return of Jesus Christ—disasters that seemed to be afflicting the world.

A September 1832 revelation, for example, explained that because “the whole world lieth in sin and groaneth under darkness,” the Lord “laid [his] hand upon the nations to scorge them for ther wickedness.” “Plagues” would continue, the Lord declared in the revelation, “untill I have completed my work.”

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

The calamities that the Lord would pour out on the world were graphically portrayed in a 25 December 1832 revelation: “With the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn and with famine and plague, and Earthquake and the thunder of heaven and the fierce and vivid lightning also shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel.”

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

partly to issue the required warning. JS explained that God had again established on the earth the covenant that Christ offered during his ministry—a covenant different from the ancient covenants that God had made with the children of Israel. To allow Israel access to this new covenant, the gathering of Israel had commenced, the apostolic church had been restored, and the inhabitants of the earth now needed to repent, be

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

published a portion of the letter—beginning at the paragraph starting with “The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers . . .” and continuing to the end of the letter—he prefaced it by stating it was written by “Mr. J. Smith Jr., who we suppose, is a principal leader of the sect that embrace Mormonism.” The letter, Saxton continued, contained “much good feeling and urbanity.”

Subsequent issues of the newspaper contained no commentary or articles about the letter. In February 1833, JS wrote another letter to Saxton, complaining that the editor had published only a portion of the original letter. JS warned him to “publish that letter entire” if he wanted “to clear your garments from the blood of you[r] readers,” but Saxton never published the complete letter.

“Mormonism,” American Revivalist, and Rochester (NY) Observer, 2 Feb. 1833, [2]. Saxton was previously the editor of the New York Evangelist, which was consolidated with the Rochester Observer in 1832. The Rochester Observer began in 1827 as a Presbyterian newspaper; by the end of 1832, it had three thousand subscribers. It was known as the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer from 29 September 1832 to 13 July 1833. (See French, Gazetteer of the State of New York, 396; Norton, “Comparative Images,” 359, 361.)

French, J. H. Gazetteer of the State of New York: Embracing a Comprehensive View of the Geography, Geology, and General History of the State. . . . 8th ed. Syracuse, NY: R. Pearsall Smith, 1860.

Norton, Walter A. “Comparative Images: Mormonism and Contemporary Religions as Seen by Village Newspapermen in Western New York and Northeastern Ohio, 1820–1833.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1972.

Norton, Walter A. “Comparative Images: Mormonism and Contemporary Religions as Seen by Village Newspapermen in Western New York and Northeastern Ohio, 1820–1833.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1972.

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

The nameplate of the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer proclaimed that it was “DEDICATED TO THE INTERESTS OF ZION GENERALLY, AND ESPECIALLY TO REVIVALS OF RELIGION.” Two weeks before Noah C. Saxton published JS’s letter, the newspaper printed commentary on an article from the Cincinnati Journal about Mormonism in that city. Among other things, the commentary referred to the “ignorant and fanatical” state of Mormon converts, the “arch devices of Mormon leaders,” the “abominable absurdities of Mormonism,” and the “wild vagaries of Mormonism.” (American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 29 Sept. 1832, [1]; “Mormonism in Cincinnati, Ohio,” American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer, 19 Jan. 1833, [1].)

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

and in the happiness of my brethren of mankind I cheerfully take up my pen to contribute my mite at this every [very] interesting and important period

For some length of time I have been car[e]fully viewing the state of things as now appear throug[h]out our christian Land and have looked at it with feelings of the most painful anxiety while upon the one hand beholding the manifested

An American Dictionary of the English Language; Exhibiting the Origin, Orthography, Pronunciation, and Definitions of Words. Edited by Noah Webster. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1845.

which seems to be drawn over the hearts of the people and upon the other hand beholding the Judgments of God that have swept and are still sweeping hundreds and thousands of our race (and I fear unprepared) down to the shades of death

An article in the 17 November 1832 American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer similarly portrayed the cholera epidemic as “God’s judgment” and a “pestilence” sent to “check the ardor of the surviving in their pursuit of the world.” The September 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star also depicted the epidemic as a result of God’s judgment, declaring, “Not since the flood, if we think right, has the Lord sent the same pestilence, or destruction, over the whole earth at once: But the Cholera, which has swept its thousands in Asia, Africa, Europe and America, gives a solemn token to a wondering world, that it will do so.” (“How Has the Cholera Affected Rochester?,” American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 17 Nov. 1832, [1]; “The Cholera,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Sept. 1832, [1].)

day and night whose anger we have Justly incured. Are not these things a sufficient stimulant to arouse the faculties and call forth the energies of evry man woman and child that poseses feeling of sympathy for his fellow[s] or that is in any degree endeared to the bud[d]ing cause of our glorious Lord; I leave an inteligent community to answer this important question with a confession that this is what has caused me to overlook my own inability and expose my weakness to a learned world

I step forth into the field to tell you what the Lord is doing and what you must do to enjoy the smiles of your saviour in these last day[s]—— The time has at last come arived when the Gods of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob has set his hand again the seccond time to recover the remnants of his people which have [p. 14]

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

The nameplate of the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer proclaimed that it was “DEDICATED TO THE INTERESTS OF ZION GENERALLY, AND ESPECIALLY TO REVIVALS OF RELIGION.” Two weeks before Noah C. Saxton published JS’s letter, the newspaper printed commentary on an article from the Cincinnati Journal about Mormonism in that city. Among other things, the commentary referred to the “ignorant and fanatical” state of Mormon converts, the “arch devices of Mormon leaders,” the “abominable absurdities of Mormonism,” and the “wild vagaries of Mormonism.” (American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 29 Sept. 1832, [1]; “Mormonism in Cincinnati, Ohio,” American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer, 19 Jan. 1833, [1].)

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

and in the happiness of my brethren of mankind I cheerfully take up my pen to contribute my mite at this every very interesting and important period

For some length of time I have been carefully viewing the state of things as now appear throughout our christian Land and have looked at it with feelings of the most painful anxiety while upon the one hand beholding the manifeste withdrawal of Gods holy Spirit and the vail of stupidity

An American Dictionary of the English Language; Exhibiting the Origin, Orthography, Pronunciation, and Definitions of Words. Edited by Noah Webster. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1845.

which seems to be drawn over the hearts of the people and upon the other hand beholding the Judgments of God that have swept and are still sweeping hundreds and thousands of our race (and I fear unprepared) down to the shades of death

An article in the 17 November 1832 American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer similarly portrayed the cholera epidemic as “God’s judgment” and a “pestilence” sent to “check the ardor of the surviving in their pursuit of the world.” The September 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star also depicted the epidemic as a result of God’s judgment, declaring, “Not since the flood, if we think right, has the Lord sent the same pestilence, or destruction, over the whole earth at once: But the Cholera, which has swept its thousands in Asia, Africa, Europe and America, gives a solemn token to a wondering world, that it will do so.” (“How Has the Cholera Affected Rochester?,” American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 17 Nov. 1832, [1]; “The Cholera,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Sept. 1832, [1].)

day and night whose anger we have Justly incured. Are not these things a sufficient stimulant to arouse the faculties and call forth the energies of evry man woman and child that poseses feeling of sympathy for his fellows or that is in any degree endeared to the budding cause of our glorious Lord; I leave an inteligent community to answer this important question with a confession that this is what has caused me to overlook my own inability and expose my weakness to a learned world

I step forth into the field to tell you what the Lord is doing and what you must do to enjoy the smiles of your saviour in these last days—— The time has at last arived when the God of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob has set his hand again the seccond time to recover the remnants of his people which have [p. 14]

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The nameplate of the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer proclaimed that it was “DEDICATED TO THE INTERESTS OF ZION GENERALLY, AND ESPECIALLY TO REVIVALS OF RELIGION.” Two weeks before Noah C. Saxton published JS’s letter, the newspaper printed commentary on an article from the Cincinnati Journal about Mormonism in that city. Among other things, the commentary referred to the “ignorant and fanatical” state of Mormon converts, the “arch devices of Mormon leaders,” the “abominable absurdities of Mormonism,” and the “wild vagaries of Mormonism.” (American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 29 Sept. 1832, [1]; “Mormonism in Cincinnati, Ohio,” American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer, 19 Jan. 1833, [1].)

An article in the 17 November 1832 American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer similarly portrayed the cholera epidemic as “God’s judgment” and a “pestilence” sent to “check the ardor of the surviving in their pursuit of the world.” The September 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star also depicted the epidemic as a result of God’s judgment, declaring, “Not since the flood, if we think right, has the Lord sent the same pestilence, or destruction, over the whole earth at once: But the Cholera, which has swept its thousands in Asia, Africa, Europe and America, gives a solemn token to a wondering world, that it will do so.” (“How Has the Cholera Affected Rochester?,” American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 17 Nov. 1832, [1]; “The Cholera,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Sept. 1832, [1].)